[mythtv-users] 2nd try at a MythTV FE/BE design

[Ma Begaj]

>       Antec Veris Fusion Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel/ Aluminum plate front
> bezel MicroATX Media Center Computer Case430W Power Supply - Retail
>
> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129030
>       Model #: Fusion Black
>       Item #: N82E16811129030
>       $219.99 - $20.00 instant rebate
>

I have this one ... Everything is working including LCD. You just need
an additional MCE remote, but if you get PVR500 package, there is a
MCE remote inside (I got one at least).
You can turn on your Mythbox with MCE remote, also if it is totally
shutdown or in standby.

And although it says in the manual that it has place for two hard
disks, you can actually out three. The third can be put behind the LCD
(above DVD drive).

It has two big fans, but I removed one. I also have passive cooler on
the CPU, so the only thing you can hear are hard disks.

power supply is not getting hot and it is quiet (I do not hear it at
all in the quiet room form 2m distance). it is a standard power supply
(standard size) and you can replace it in the future if it dies. It
has more power than you will ever need (I think 380W).

>       ASUS M2NBP-VM CSM AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S Micro ATX AMD
>  Motherboard
>
> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131072
>       Model #: M2NBP-VM CSM
>       Item #: N82E16813131072
>       $76.99

I have M2NPV-VM which is quiet similar. I still have smaller sound
problems, but that is probably just me. I saw a lot of reports how the
people solved these problems, but it did not work for me. Sound works
for me, but no surround.

M2NPV-VM also has S/PDIF out (only on the motherboard, you have to an
additional  backpanel) if you need it. S-Video and DVI are working
great.

Auto-Waking up from /proc/acpi/alarm is working great.


>       Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 500 MCE White box PCI Interface Personal Video
> Recorder
>
> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16815116628
>       Model #: 1081
>       Item #: N82E16815116628
>       $139.99

I have this one. The only difference is that I got a MCE remote with
an USB receiver in th package. But that is maybe European version. I
also have one PVR150 and I have great picture on both of these card.

PVR150 also comes with a remote, but it is not MCE. but you can use
its IR receiver with an  extension cable (usual sound cable for
speakers) and even if your case in some bad position and you can't see
it, you can still use your remote.

>
>       AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model
> ADA4200CUBOX
>
> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103747
>       Model #: ADA4200CUBOX
>       Item #: N82E16819103747
>       $74.00
> Do I need a fan or heat sink for this? It and the MOBO do support
> Cool'n'Quite.

I have Athon 64 X2 3800+  EE SFF version. It takes max. 35W. I got a
Scythe Ninja Mini cooler for it and I am using it passive (without
fans).


>
>       Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
> Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5K2/2G
>
> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820134117
>       Model #: KVR800D2N5K2/2G
>       Item #: N82E16820134117
>       $98.99
> This is Non ECC memory. Is ECC memory better?
> Do other brands have better reputations?

I had 1GB module of a no-name memory and it is working. I have no dual
channel because I have only one module, but I see no speed problems,
although my mythbox is backend and frontend at the same.


>       SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
>
> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151153
>       Model #: SH-S203B
>       Item #: N82E16827151153
>       $30.99
> Is it better to use a PATA burner? Keep the SATA connectors open for HDs?
> Although, the reviews for the PATA version of this burner weren't very good.

I am using a PATA burner, because I had one spare at home.

>
> What about keyboards? Do the MCE ones, with all of the their special video
> function keys, work with Linux? I'd like to go wireless. Probably not IR
> though;
> I suspect line-of-sight could be a problem.

I have no keyboard, and I use SSH for everything I need.


>
> I'm also thinking about wireless LAN. My wired switch is half way across the
> house. It's a Netgear WGT624v2. Any card/USB dongle recommendations?

I got a Linksys USB Wireless stick which has Linux drivers, but it
worked terrible for me. I am using Ethernet connection since than.

The problem is also that all these shiny cases are made for micro-atx
boards. These boards have usually only two PCI slots and two PCIe slot
(one fast for graphics and one slow one). Believe me, you don't want
spend one of these two PCI slots for wireless card. you will need
these for PVRs etc, although there are every day more and more USB TV
cards. Use Ethernet if you can, it is faster and more reliable. You
will usually get max 100mb connection, because the most boards use
forcedeth driver which has only 100mb support. But that an change in
the future.

M.